Tonight marks the Bermuda Festival debut of Christ Church Cathedral Choir from Oxford, England – with a special guest appearance by the Bermuda Institute school choir – at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

Tomorrow night, Christ Church Catheral Choir moves to St. John's Church, Pembroke, when award-winning organist Clive Driskill-Smith, one of the leading organists of his generation, whose repertoire spans six centuries, will be a featured artist. In addition to personal appearances around the world, his performances have been broadcast in many countries, and he is also a recording artist.

The Christ Church Cathedral Choir is unique in the world as both a Cathedral and College choir, and its 500-year history is one of consistent excellence. From its first director, John Taverner, who was appointed by Cardinal Wolsey in 1526, to the present day, it has attracted many distinguished composers and organists. Current choir director Stephen Darlington is one of Britain's leading choral conductors, who has been director of music at Christ Church, Oxford since 1985. The Choir consists of 12 men, 16 boys, and two organists. The boys are selected on musical ability, and attend Christ Church Cathedral School. Of the men, six are professionals, and six are undergraduates.

The Choir's spiritual home, Oxford's 12th century Cathedral, has given it a relationship with early sacred music, and the rhythm and vigour of contemporary idioms. In addition to daily services at Christ Church Cathedral, the Choir also fulfils a busy schedule of concerts and overseas tours, undertakes a prodigious recording schedule and collaborates with numerous orchestras. In making its Bermuda Festival debut, it will undoubtedly leave its audiences as deeply impressed as those who have enjoyed its impeccable performances elsewhere.

The Bermuda Institute Choir consists of approximately 80 students, and is directed by Bermudian Owen Simons, who has founded and directed choirs both here and overseas with great success, including the Southampton Seventh-day Adventist Inspirational Choir, Dynamic Praise, and the Madison Mission Mass Choir in Alabama. Mr. Simons is also the organist at St. Anne's Church in Southampton.

Its repertoire includes spirituals, gospel, contemporary, anthems and hymns. It performs not only at school functions, but also in the community. Its featured presentations in tonight's programme are 'Look at the World' by John Rutter, and 'Jesus is Rock' by Glenn Burleigh.

Overall, the programme will span works from the 16th to the 21st centuries, beginning with William Bird's 'Rorate coeli' and ending with Moses Hogan's 'Great Day'. Featured overseas artists are baritone Greg Skidmore, and Mr. Driskill-Smith, this time on piano.

Tomorrow night's programme will repeat the opening three works of tonight's programme, and also include works by Purcell, Britten, Goodall, Widor, Johann Ernest Bach, and Handel. Mr. Driskill-Smith's organ solos will be Mozart's 'Fantasia in F Minor K608' and Widor's 'Allegro vivace from Symphony No. 5, Op. 42.

Both programmes will begin at 8 p.m.